Abercrombie & Fitch

From new store prototypes to merchandise changes, Abercrombie & Fitch has been investing in efforts to transform and update its namesake and Hollister brands.     Unfortunately, getting consumers to change their ideas regarding the brands is not proving all that easy, according to Columbus Business First.     

Abercrombie & Fitch Co.’s turnaround was called in to question on Tuesday as the chain posted a wider loss in its second quarter, hurt by a decline in tourist traffic at its flagship locations.     The teen apparel retailer also revealed that it expects to close up to 60 U.S. stores as their leases expire this fiscal year. On its quarterly conference call, company executives said the chain has flexibility to close even more stores, with about half of its U.S. leases expiring by the end of 2017, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Shoppers in select foreign markets have a new way to purchase goods from Abercrombie & Fitch.   The retailer on Wednesday announced a wholesale agreement with Zalando SE, a Germany-based online retailer that carries more than 150,000 styles from some 1,500 brands for women, men and kids and counts more than 18 million active customers. Beginning this week, Zalando will start selling Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister and abercrombie kids products through its online stores in the 15 European markets it serves.   

It’s no secret that Abercrombie & Fitch has been developing a new prototype.   The chain will unveil its new look early next year, at Polaris Fashion Place, in Columbus, Ohio. The store will herald a new direction for the brand with a new aesthetic and updated merchandise selections. It will be situated on the lower level near Madewell.     Abercrombie has already introduced a new look for its Hollister store brand.  

Teen apparel retailer Abercrombie & Fitch is losing a key member of its executive team.

Jonathan Ramsden, COO, is resigning from Abercrombie effective June 15, 2006. Ramsden, who joined the company in 2008 as executive VP and CFO, was promoted to COO in 2014.

A controversial labor practice employed by some retailers is coming under increased scrutiny by U.S.regulators.  

A controversial labor practice employed by some retailers is coming under increased scrutiny by U.S. regulators.

Abercrombie & Fitch's efforts to attract more shoppers are paying off, as the company reported an increase in same store sales for the fourth quarter.

The teen retailer announced adjusted earnings of $1.08 a share for the period ended Jan. 30. Net sales were $1.11 billion. Same store sales jumped 1%, the first gain in overall same store sales since the third quarter ended October 29, 2011, according to Bloomberg.

Abercrombie & Fitch's efforts to attract more shoppers with a better store experience and updated merchandise mix are paying off as the retailer reported an unexpected increase in same-store sales and a 30% increase in profit for the fourth quarter.

Abercrombie said overall same-store sales rose 1% in the quarter ended Jan. 30, the first gain in the metric since the third quarter 2012. Analysts on average were expecting a decline of 0.10%. The gain in same-store sales was driven by a 4% increase in the Hollister division.

The forces of disruption influencing so much of retail have finally arrived at one of the industry’s most tradition-bound segments. Retail trade events have changed little the past 20 years, but a new event called Shoptalk (May 16-18) is reimagining every aspect of the concept. Event co-founder and chairman Anil Aggarwal spoke with Retailing Today about Shoptalk, what it is, what it isn’t and how he plans to create a community of commerce innovators.

RT: What is Shoptalk?